Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs roll on.
NHL Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers
Series Head-to-Head: Oilers 1-3 Panthers
TV: ABC, Sportsnet, TVAS, CBC
The Oilers fought back with an 8-1 victory over the Panthers to stave off elimination in Game 4. Is Edmonton truly back or did it only delay the inevitable? The Oilers knew there was no tomorrow and came out with one of its best games from their Stanley Cup Playoff run. Florida played one of its worst games of the post-season, but still has three more chances to hoist the silver chalice.
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky did look human and was chased by the Oilers allowing five goals on 16 shots. However, keep in mind the Russian goalie may still walk away with the Conn Smythe Trophy. Also, Edmonton captain Connor McDavid broke a prestigious Wayne Gretzky single-season playoff assist record. McDavid now has 32 assists eclipsing Gretzky’s previous record of 31, with at minimum one game to go. As a whole, the Oilers did show life, but can they do it three more times to do the unthinkable?
Let’s take a look at the storylines heading into a pivotal Game 5 in this round of NHL predictions.
The Oilers Story
Edmonton showed how deadly its offence can be in Game 4. The Oilers finally notched a power-play goal and also grabbed a short-handed tally. This team was finally able to move the puck around and cash in on their scoring chances. Bobrovsky didn’t make it through the second period thanks to the Oilers’ barrage. A performance like that showed why Edmonton won the Western Conference.
Stuart Skinner also played with confidence and made 32 saves. Having good goal support helps, but Skinner did play well in Game 4. The defence also looked relaxed and played with confidence last game. However, it’s a tall ask to do it three more times.
The Panthers Story
Game 4 is something that the Panthers have probably moved on from. Head coach Paul Maurice and the team have been great at making adjustments all post-season. The only two-game losing streak came against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final. However, those were two very close overtime-losses to a talented Blueshirts team.
There are a number of players that could take up the Conn Smythe mantle if Bobrovsky did lose it with his Game 4 performance. Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe could all make a case to get the playoff MVP award.
Prediction
Edmonton’s Game 4 performance was impressive. However, Florida has been excellent this post-season. The Oilers aren’t going to just roll over and accepted their fate. Game 4 proved that the Panthers are going to have to earn their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history. However, it’s going to be all smiles for Florida.
Prediction: Panthers win 5-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We do have a couple of prop bets for tonight’s game. The Conn Smythe conversation could be a good one. We still think Bobrovsky could get it, but a play on Barkov could be worth a try. On the Oilers side, go with McDavid getting the over on +1.0 assists. This means he will get Gretzky’s record.
It also might be worth a look to make a play on who Barkov hands the cup to first. Tkachuk is worth a look and so is Bobrovsky.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson – USA TODAY Sports
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